Strike Called Against Port Of Baltimore

James White, director of the Port of Baltimore, talked with WBAL's Steve Fermier about the impact of the strike. Download This File

WBAL's John Patti speaks with former Congresswoman and Consultant to the Port of Baltimore Helen Bentley who says the strike is not necessary. Download This File

Governor Martin O'Malley talks about the strike at the Port of Baltimore. Download This File

Pickets have gone up at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, Seagirt, and other terminals overnight as longshoremen have called a strike.

The picketing began after talks with port management authorities reportedly broke down overnight.

No word yet on how long the strike will last.

The strike has shut down the port, according to James White, executive director of the Port of Baltimore.

White said there is an expedited arbitration in the works for today through the international longshoremen's union.

Ships are not being redirected and they are being unloaded as staffing might allow, White said.

Former Maryland Congresswoman Helen Bentley, who is a cponsultant to the Port of Baltimore,says the strike is unnecessary and blames the leadership of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333 saying that the leadership "doesn't care about the future of the Port of Baltimore and the stability of his men."

There are about 2,000 union dock workers affected and roughly 14,000 direct jobs impacted by the strike, White said.

Attempts to contact union officials by WBAL News have been unsuccessful as of this morning.

In Annapolis today, Governor Martin OÆMalley called a strike at the Port of Baltimore ôvery rare,ö and he said that he hoped the strike would be resolved quickly.

OÆMalley said he had not been asked to help the striking longshoremen and the Steamship Trade Association resolve the walkout.He called the Port ôa big economic driver for our state.ö